Roller security grilles

What are roller security grilles?

A roller security grille is a curtain of linked aluminium or steel tubes that coils into a box above the opening. Lowered, it gives an open-mesh barrier you can see through; raised, it leaves the full width clear with nothing parked at the sides.

Roller grilles are common in shopping centres, stations and wide internal openings where a folded stack at the side would get in the way. Because the curtain is made of rods and links rather than solid slats, light and visibility pass through, and the shop behind still looks open.

Small grilles can be hand operated with a spring balance. Larger and heavier grilles use a tubular or chain-drive motor with a key switch or remote. Electric grilles need a suitable power supply, and the electrical connection must be made and certified by a qualified electrician.

How much do roller security grilles cost?

Our guide range is £1,495 to £4,995 plus VAT (£1,794 to £5,994 inc VAT) per opening, supplied and fitted. The exact figure depends on size, type, finish and locking, and your fixed price is confirmed in writing after the free survey. See all grille prices.

Specification and options

Brick-bond or straight link patterns in aluminium or steel
Coil box above the opening, internal or external
Manual spring-balanced, crank or electric operation
Safety edges, manual override and anti-drop devices on powered grilles
Guide channels fixed to the face or into the reveal
Mill, anodised or powder-coated finishes
Pass doors or wicket gates on request for some wide openings
Suitable for shopping centre units, counters and wide internal openings

Where roller security grilles are used

Shopping centre and arcade units
Wide internal openings and lobbies
Counters and kiosks
Car park and stairwell openings
Shops with deep heads above the glazing

What to decide before you order

Head space

The coil box needs height above the opening. If there is no room inside, a retractable grille is usually a better fit.

Manual or electric

Small grilles work well by hand. Anything large, high or used several times a day is easier and safer with a motor.

Inside or outside

Inside a shopping centre or behind glazing the grille is protected. External roller grilles normally need planning permission.

Powered door safety

Electric grilles are powered doors, so they need the right safety devices, a risk assessment and regular maintenance.

Rules across the UK

The rules on planning, listed buildings and fire safety differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. These are the points most relevant to roller security grilles; local pages show the version for your nation.

England (similar principles apply in Wales, Scotland and NI)

Grilles inside the glass

A grille fitted inside the glass does not normally need planning permission, because it does not materially change how the building looks from outside. If the building is listed, listed building consent may still be needed.

External grilles and planning

External grilles and shutters on shops and other commercial buildings normally need planning permission from the local council because they change the building's appearance. Many councils' shopfront guides favour internal, open-lattice grilles, particularly in conservation areas.

Listed buildings and conservation areas

Listed buildings need listed building consent for works that affect their character, which can include internal grilles and their fixings. In conservation areas, councils look closely at anything fitted to the outside. We recommend speaking to the council's conservation officer before ordering.

How it works

Tell us what needs securing

Use the quote tool or form, or call. Sizes and a couple of photos help us give a guide price straight away.

Free survey

A surveyor measures every opening, checks the walls and fixings, and talks through type, colour and locks.

Fixed price in writing

You get a written quote with the grille schedule, the price and the lead time. Nothing is ordered until you accept.

Made, fitted and handed over

Grilles are made to measure, fitted by installers working under our contract with you, tested and explained.

Roller security grilles: questions

How much does a roller grille cost?

Manual roller grilles usually start around £1,495 plus VAT (£1,794 inc VAT) supplied and fitted, with electric grilles typically between £2,295 and £4,995 plus VAT (£2,754 to £5,994 inc VAT) depending on size, motor and controls.

Is a roller grille the same as a roller shutter?

No. A shutter uses solid or perforated slats; a grille uses an open mesh of tubes and links, so you can see through it and air can pass.

Do electric roller grilles need servicing?

Yes. Powered grilles should be inspected and maintained regularly, including the motor, safety devices and manual override, so they stay safe to use.

Can a roller grille be fitted inside a shop window?

Yes, where there is enough clear height above the window for the coil and guides. It is a neat option because nothing is left at the sides.

What happens to an electric grille in a power cut?

Powered grilles have a manual override, usually a crank or chain, so they can be raised or lowered without power.

Do roller grilles need planning permission?

Internal roller grilles generally do not. External ones normally do, and councils often prefer open-mesh grilles to solid shutters where something external is allowed.

Find roller security grilles near you

Choose your county or region for local information and the rules that apply where you are.

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